Method of handling fluids



Jan. 9, 1940. v. 1. HJQPE ET AL METHOD OF HANDLING FLUIDS Filed May 11, 1938 e Sheefs-Sheet 1.

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V. HQOPER ET AL METHOD OF HANDLING FLUIDS Filed May 11, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,5 VZUZ'Z [.fiooper lauds fjzooper" M m fiftarrzggs Int/6722507" Patented Jan. 9, 1940 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF HANDLING FLUIDS Virgil I. Hooper, Gordon, Texuband Louis G.-

Booper, Sarepta, La., minors to The Bastian- Blessing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation 01 Illinois Application May 11, 1938, Serial No. 207,418

9 Claims. (Cl. 82-1) Our invention relates to a method of handling liquids or gases or mixed liquids and gases. One purpose is the provision of an improved method for loading such materials into a tank or tank 8 car.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method i'or unloading such materials from a tank or tank car.

Another purpose is the provision of an im- 10 proved method for gauging the contents oi the tank or closed space.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method tor sampling the contents or a tank or-closed space or stored body oi'liquid and 18 the like.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method for maintaining the interior of a tank or storage or shipping container for liquids, gases and the like closed to the atmosphere our- 20 ing the insertion or removal oi the fittings necessary to feed fluids to or remove them from a tank or closed space.

Another purpose is the provision of an im- 7 proved method for maintaining the interior of a as tank or storage or shipping space for liquids,

gases and the like closed to the atmosphere during the gauging or sampling of the contents.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method of gauging or sampling the con so tents of a tank or closed space which is independent oi the existence or a head of pressure within such tank or space.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method of handling liquids, gases or 35 mixed liquids and gases for shipment or storage whereby the release of any substantial part of such materials to the atmosphere is prevented during either loading or unloading or both.

Another purpose is the provision of an im- 40 proved method of controlling gas pressures during loading and unloading of such materials.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

We illustrate our invention more or less dia- 45 grammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tank car with parts broken away, illustrating a typical tank car prior to its equipment with the mechanisms with 50 which our method is carried out;

Figure 2 is a partial side elevation on an enlarged scale with parts broken away, illustrating the application to a tank ear of the mechanisms with which our method can be carried out;

on Figure is a e ica l dinal se tion through the dome of a tank car illustrating fittings and closures in place and in closed position;

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating certain fittings and closures applied directly to the dome cover plate of a tank car; 5

Figure 5 is a vertical section illustrating part of the loading assembly applied to the loading inle Figure 6 is a partial section illustrating some of the parts shown in Figure 5 in a difierent posi- 1 tion:

Figure 7 is a section on the line 1-7 of Figure ure 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical section through the fittings applied to the vent of a tank with the clo- 1 sure removing means associated with the vent assembly; I

Figure 9 illustrates the upper portion at the vent assembly with the closure removing means removed and with the gauging assembly substituted;

Figure 10 illustrates the gauging assembly with the gauging pump omitted;

Figure 11 is a detail;

Figure 12 is a vertical section through a variation loading assembly;

. Figure 13 is a vertical section through a variant venting assembly;

Figure 14 is a detail; and

Figure 15 illustrates the application of our invention to a variant type of tank car.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1,

I indicates any suitable tank herein shown as 5 forming part of a tank car structure including a car platform 2, wheels 3 and any suitable means 4 for holding the tank on the car. 5 is a tank car dome having a removable cover plate 6 normally held in position by any suitable nuts and bolts 1, 8. It may be-understood that any other suitable securing means may be applied. 9 is a vent nipple and i0 is an inlet nipple in communication with the eduction pipe H which terminates closely adjacent the bottom of the tank I as at 12. Any suitable caps or closures i3, M are indicated.

While we are illustrating our invention as applied in connection with a tank car, which is a practical application threof, it will be understood that it applies equally well to other storage or shipping spaces such as tanks on steamers, fixed storage systems, underground gas storage and dispensing systems and the like. However, we find it convenient to illustrate our invention in connection withtankcars andits applicationto tank cars will be understood to be'a'matter of illustration and not limitation.

Referringto Figure 2, we illustrate a loading and unloading assembly generally indicated as A, and a gauging and vent assembly generally indicated as B. We will first describe the loading assembly. In this connection; the usembly A in Figure 2 should be considered in connection with the more detailed showing in Figures 5, 8 and 7,

,and with the partsin closed position as shown at A in Figures 3 and 4. t

Referring first to Figure 3, the education pipe ll, whiclawiii be understood to terminate closely adjacent the bottom of the tank I, is shown as screw-threaded or otherwise secured to the flange I! which is secured to the inner surface of the top of the dome. It may be welded, bolted or otherwise secured.- It is in line, however, with the loading aperture it formed in the dome ll. Alined above the aperture l6 we illustrate a flange member I! in which is positioned the fltting generally'indicated as l8 and which is shown on a larger scale at the bottom of Figure 5. It may include, for example, a lower portion IQ of minimum diameter and an upper and preferably concentric portion of greater diameter. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 5 we illustrate the portion l9 as outwardly screwthreaded as at 2| and in screw-threaded relation with corresponding threads formed in the passage aperture of the flange l1. The inner face of the member I9 is shown as screw-threaded as at 22 to receive corresponding threads of a closure plug 23 having an upper enlargement or head 24 with a downward shoulder 25. The portion 20 is inwardly screw-threaded as at 26 and is formed selectively to receive the threads 21 of any suitable closure cap 28, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the assembly is removed and the closure substituted. Also, the same screw-threading is adapted to receive the threads 29 of the wing nut 30 which forms a part of the loading assembly below described. Thus the fitting receives selectively either the closure cap 28 or the loading assembly elsewhere herein described.

Assume that the tank is being shipped, either full or empty, it is preferably shipped with the closure 28 in place as shown in Figures 3 or 4, and with the closure plug 23 firmly screwed down against the gasket 3i. The parts are preferably so proportioned that when the cap 23 is screwed into position its lower edge also abuts against the gasket 3! so that there is a double sealing effect against the single gasket 3| which in turn rests upon the single annular supporting or'sealing surface 32 which is preferably but not necessarily perpendicular to the axis of the assembly. The gasket is not necessary but is advantageous and a tapered thread or ground joint or any other suitable sealing means might be employed.

It will further be understood that whereas we have illustrated the fitting l8 as a separate screwthreaded member in the flange I1, it may ifdesired be made unitarily with the top wall of the tank or dome or with the cover plate 3. Thus when we describe the application of the loading or venting assembly to an inlet or outlet fitting, it is understood that we wish to include the application of the assembly directly to an integrally formed portion of a tank, dome or cover.

plate.

Assume that the outer closure 23 has been removed, as in the case of Figure 5, a passage member 33 may be applied to the fitting. It is shown as having a bottom flange or'shoulder 33 against which the wing nut 30 abuts and which preferablyconiormstothesuriace 32 orto thega'sket 3i whereby when the wing nut 30 is tightened, the member 33 is locked effectively in relation to the fltting II and surrounds the plug 23, 24. We illustrate the member 33 as having applied thereto an upper pcrtionor extension 33 which may have a side passage or lateral extension or other inlet or outlet portion 33. We illustrate it as screwthreaded as at 31' to receive any suitable valve assembly 33 which is shown in Figure 2 and is broken away in Figure 5. It is important, however, that some closure means be provided so that the space within the members 33, 33, which constitutes a passage, may be closed to the atmosphere and also may be cut oil from the loading or unloading zone. The diameter of the enlargement 2 of the clossure plug 23 is slightly less than the interior diameter of the members 33, 35.

We illustrate venting means adaptable to provide an atmospheric or outside communication with the space between the closure 23 and the valve 38 within the members 33 and 35. Welllustrate for example an outlet passage 40 of restricted diameter which may be controlled by any suitable valve mechanism generally indicated as at 4| and controlled by an exterior handle or hand wheel 42. It will be understood,

however, that any suitable means may be employedwhereby the operator can permit the escape of gases from the space within the members 33, 35. This is of importance in connection with the application of the loading assembly. It is also important as permitting the user to determine whether or not the plug 23 is tightly in position at a time when the members 33 and are still locked in the position in which they are shown in Figure 5. It is also possible to employ it to drain liquid from the said space and in general to relieve pressure from that space when necessary.

It will be understood that whereas we have shown a screw-threaded closure plug 23, other closure means might be employed. However, the screw-threaded plug is convenient and emcient. When such a plug is employed, it is necessary to unscrew it while the assembly 33, 35 is in place and to remove it out of the line of flow between the tank and the passage 36. We therefore pro vide a control stem 24a which is rotatably and slidably mounted in the end member or end block 43 of the member 35. Its lower end may be squared or otherwise formed as at Ml in order topenetrate and mate with the correspondingly formed aperture 45 of the plug 23, 2%, whereby when the stem is rotated it serves to rotate the plug. The aperture 35 of the plug is provided with a recess 66 which receives the spring loaded or spring thrust balls 31 shown at the bottom of the stem 24a as examples of means for permitting an upward movement of the stem its to with draw upwardly against gravity the plug 23.

Similar balls 48 are located in a somewhat .higher portion of the stem 24a and are adapted,

.the interior oi the tank without permitting any undesired escape of the contents of-the tank and in particular without permitting any venting to the atmosphere.

Assume that the closure 28 has been removed, I

the loading assembly, including the parts a and 36, has been applied, and the interior of the loading assembly has thereafter been put in communication with the interior of the tank, the operator can then connect the valve 38 with any.

suitable source or liquid or gas to be loaded or transported, for example by means of the pipe II. The valve 38 is then opened and pressure is applied, gravital or otherwise, the liquid or gas being flowed inwardly along the hose 5| through the open valve 38 inwardly along the passage 38, downwardly through the member 33, and thus into the tank which can then be filled to any predetermined level or pressure. Thereafter the valve 38 can be closed and the plug 23 thrust down into locking position and rotated until firmly locked. The valve 4| can be employed to determine whether or not it is fully locked and also to exhaust pressure from the space above the closure. Thereafter, the wing nut 30 can be rotated to unlocking position, the loading assembly can be entirely removed, and the shipping closure or cap 28 can be put back into place.

The above method has been described without the employment of the vent mechanism elsewhere herein shown and described and it will be understood that under some circumstancesventing is not required and the vent mechanism can either be omitted or if present need not be used. With some substances, however, venting is necessary, for example in connection with the shipment of gasoline of certain specifications in tank cars.

Referring to the vent side, and considering for example Figures 3 and 4, indicates a flange orpassage member which may be secured to or'may be formed integrally with the dome 5, or if de-"' sired the dome closure plate 6. We illustrate as secured to the member 68 a fitting generally indicated as 6| and shown in some detail in Figure 8 and roughly resembling the fitting I8 01 Figure 5 but somewhat different in proportion and dimension. We illustrate it as havinga lower portion 62 screw-threaded as at 63 to thread with threads formed in the inner face of the member 60. The passage 64 is also inwardly screwthreaded asat 65 to receive the screw-threaded portion of a plug 66 having an enlarged upper portion 61 and a shoulder 68 shown in sealing relationship with the gasket 68 on the sealing surface 10. The member 8| also has an upper portion H of greater diameter which is inwardly screw-threaded as at 12 in order to receive the exterior screw threads of a wing nut 13 herein shown as employed to lock in position the pa'ssage member 14 with its bottom flange '15 against which the lower edge of the wing nut abuts. Theupper portion of the passage member II is shown as supporting or in communication with a valve 9,100,994 I interior of the tank while maintaining such space housing II having therein the gate valve member ll-controlled by an exterior handle ll. Any suitable valve means may be employed, including even a stop cock, but we illustrate the gate valve as a practical solution of our problem which is to provide means for substantially sealing the space below the valve from the space above the valve and thus preventing at certain times any communication between the interior of the tank and the space above the valve I1.

We illustrate in Figure 8 a passage member or elbow 19 having a lateral passage 88 and a removable top closure or plug or block ll. 82 indicates a valve closing the passage Ill having an exterior handle 83 for its actuation. The space below the valve 82 may further be vented throughthe passage 8| controlled by any suitable valve structure generally indicated as 85 and having an exterior control handle 88. Preferably the passage outlet 84 is of relatively restricted diameter. It will be understood that the particular structure of valves and passages herein shown is merely illustrative and in a broad sense diagrammatic but what we wish to provide is a chamber or space which may be employed-to surround the closure member 66 or its equivalent and which can be isolated from the atmosphere and closed in such fashion that when the closure 65 is moved out of closing position there will be no escape of gas and no substantial reduction of pressure in or from the tank.

In the particular form of mechanism shown in Figure 8 we provide a screw-threaded plug 66 and means for unscrewing it while the vent assembly above described is in position and is isolated from the atmosphere and from the rest of the system. We illustrate for example a stem slidable and rotatable in the block or member 8| and having a reduced squared end 8| which penetrates the corresponding aperture 92 in the plug 66. In order to permit upward removal of the plug 66, we provide also the spring-loaded balls 93 which penetrate a recess 94 within the plug 66 whereby when the stem 90 is withdrawn in to upward position after the plug is unscrewed, the plug will aso be withdrawn upwardly. The abutment 9! limits the upward movement of the stem in relation to the block 8| but permits it to be drawn suificiently upwardly to permit the bottom of the plug 66 to clear the valve 11 whereby atfer the plug is released and upwardly withdrawn the operator can actuate the handle 18 and close the gate valve and thus close the interior of the The operator for example may screw the block 'or plug I00 into the place previously occupied by the block or plug 8|. Upwardly extending irom the plug Hill is the fitting ||l| having an upward flange I02 which may serve as a gauge reading point. The member |0| may also serve to exert compression against the packing gland Hi3. Longitudinally slidable in this block structure is the gauge tube generally indicated as I 04 which may have any suitable calibrations.

I85 on the exterior thereof. It may be in ll'lChtS, fractions thereof, or any other suitable units of length. Any suitable enlargement I06 may be positioned on the bottom of the tube I04 to limit its upward withdrawal through the plug I00. If

desired, the member I maybe removed and any suitable excess flow valve. as shown for ex- 0 ample in Figure 11', may be inserted in its place.

Such a valve may include a valve housing I01,

a ball I08, and a pin I09 which prevents the downward escape of the ball. It will be understood that when excess gas pressure flows, it

will be eflective to lock the ball I00 against the bottom of the passage I04 or against the upper end or taper oi the aperture in the member I01.

Secured and for example screw-threaded to the top of the gauge tube I04 is a fitting IIO ll having an upper enlargement III interior-1y screw-threaded as at II2. In Figure 10 we illustrate as screw-threaded. into it a vent plug assembly II3 which includes an outlet passage or vent H4 and a valve I I0 to control it, which may 8 be in the form of a needle valve and is shown as having an exterior control handle H0. The

vent I I4 extends into the interiorly screw-threaded aperture II1. If desired, gas or liquid may be'allowed to fiow out through'this aperture or 00 it may be gathered in any suitable sampling bottle or bomb', which need not herein be shown.

The above assembly is satisfactory for use in systems or in handling materials where pressure exists or is maintained in the tank. Where 00 pressure is not maintained or does not exist within the tank, for example where gauging liquids which do not cause or are not accompanied by gas pressures, we may apply a pump assembly to the gauging and sampling tube I04. 35 In that case, the assembly H3 is removed and a pump body I is applied. It is shown as including a screw-threaded portion I2I in screwthreaded relationship with the threads N2 of the member III. I22 indicates any suitable 40 pump cylinder in which is contained a pump piston I23 which may be reciprocated as by the stem I24, controlled by the exterior handle I25 passing through the cylinder end I20. when the piston I23 is upwardly withdrawn, liquid passes 45 upwardly through the passage I21 and about the valve I28. On the down stroke, the ball valve I28 is locked in closing position by pressure and the-fluid is driven by the compression of the pump against and around the spring-loaded 50 ball valve I29. I30 is an inwardly screw-threaded sleeve in the inner end of which we show a loading disc I3I which holds the spring I02 against the ball I29. The projection or abutment I33 limits the outward escape of the ball 55 against the spring in response to the thrust of the pump. Then if desired the assembly H3 shown in Figure 10 and earlier described is screws threaded into the member I30 as shown in Figmeans for carrying out our method, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, num her and disposition of parts and in the arrange- 65 ment and use of the various parts without de- 12 to 14 an alternative structure which may be employed to carry out our method and. which 111-.-

is any suitable eduction pipe. which extends to 10 the bottom or the tank. I02 is any suitable valve housing having a valve I03 therein shown as controlled by the exterior handle I04. Whereas we have illustrated a turn cook, it will be understood that any other suitable type of valve may 15 be employed at this point. The valve housing has an upper channel surrounded by a flange I50 inwardly screw-threaded as at I00 to receive a passage member I01. The passage member is shown as having a closed top or end I00 and a 99 side passage member I09. Said side passage member is shown as screw-threaded as at I00 to receive a valve housing IOI having an exteriorly operable valve I02. This valveis also shown as a stop cook but any suitable valve such as a gate valve can be substituted therefor.

In communication with the passage I09 through the valve housing IOI is any suitable loading and unloading hose I63 which may extend to a source of liquid or fluid supply or,'when the assembly is being used for unloading, may lead to any suitable delivery or storage zone. The interior of the passage member I01 between the valves I03 and I02 is provided with an additional outlet or vent I04 controlled by any suitable valvehaving for example an external handle I00. It will be understood that the vent I00 is of substantially smaller cross sectional area than the areas of the passages controlled by the valves I03 or I02. It may be further understood 40 that it may be employed, if desired, to vent the interior of the passage member I01 to the atmosphere or otherwise.

Referring to Figure 13, in place of the passage member I01 I employ a passage member 40 I10 having a side passage "I, a vent passage I12, and an upward extension I13 herein shown as extending above said side passage member and vent. The side passage member I1I may be controlled by any suitable valve I10 in the housso ing I15 whereby the interior of the passage member I10 may be put in communication with any suitable hose or conduit I10. Mounted in the upper end of the member I13 is a packing gland comprising a screw-threaded nut or block I11 00 in which is screw threaded the member I18 which surrounds the packing I19. Through it. may pass the gauge tube I00 which may be identical with the gauge tube shown in the previous figures and its associated parts will, therefore, 00 not be further described.

Referring to Figure 14, it will be understood that the nipples I when the passage members I51 and I10 are removed, may be closed by having the valves I53 turned to the closed position. An additional closure may be employed in the shape ofthe screw-threaded plug I00 which is received in the threads I50 of the valve housing I50. Thus the form of Figures 12, 13 and 14 difiers from the forms of valve assemblies above described in that the valves I03 and the actuating means therefor are mounted on the tank, and need not be removed.

Referring to Figure 15, we illustrate the application of our invention to a tank or tank car 5 I dome structure "I is employed, having a massive dome plate ill. ,Bolted or otherwise secured to it is an upper housing structure 202 having afilling aperture 203, which is shown as closed by a screw-threaded plug 204, although any other suitable closure member may be employed. A vapor return aperture 205 is shown, which in turn is closed by a screw-threaded plug 206. 201 is any suitable removable cover, the details of which do not of themselves form part'of the present invention.

It will be understood that any suitable filling hose may be inserted in the aperture 203 and any suitable vapor return line through the aperture 205 may be secured to the valve fittings therein shown. Since the fittings are substantially the same as those elsewhere described herein, it will not be necessary to describe them again. Zili indicates any suitable safety valve structure, the details of which do not of themselves form part of the present invention.

2H diagrammatically illustrates any suitable gauging and sampling structure which may for example include a slip tube gauge. In the form of Figure 15, however, the gauging and sampling means are actually fixed to or normally carried with the car or tank itself, and are not inserted through our valve fittings. 2i2 indicates diagrammatically anexcess flow valve associated with the venting or vapor return valve assembly, and t 2H diagrammatically illustrates a flow .valve on the eduction pipe MS of the loading side. Thus in the event of breakage or unintended removal or improper manipulation of the valves of the two units, the undesired escape of liquids or gases from the tanks will be prevented.

It will be realized that where in the specification and claims we use the term passage fitting or passage fitting associated with the tank, we wish these terms to be interpreted with sufilcient breadth toinclude the formation of a passage integral with the tank or integral with the dome cover or cover plate, it being a matter of choice as to whether or not such a fitting or its equivalent be made removable or be separately formed and thereafter applied permanently to the tank, or if it be formed as part of the tank, dome or cover.

Where in the specification and claims we describe the plug or closure as screw-threaded, it will be understood that we wish such term to be interpreted with sufficient breadth to cover any locking arrangement whereby the plug or closure is locked or unlocked in response to rotation thereof.

The use and operation of our invention are as follows:

A prime purpose of our method is to avoid the enormous losses which take place as in the current handling of gasolines, for example casinghead gasolines, which are prevailingly shipped in insulated containers. In handling highly volatile liquids, it is exceedingly disadvantageous and wasteful to permit such liquids or the gases therein or associated therewith to exhaust to the atmosphere, whether during loading or unloading or gauging or sampling. Our method enables an operator to load volatile liquids into a tank, to gauge them and sample them during loading, to unload such liquids, and to gauge and sample them during unloading without at any time permitting the storage or shipping zone of such q ds to be in direct communication with or to exhaust to the atmosphere. 1

Our methodis applicable not merely to shipping such volatile liquids from point to point, but is also applicable to fixed or moving storage systems, for example buried tanks from which liquids or gases are thereafter dispensed or used. It may for example be used in connection with buried butane or propane systems used for house heating, cooking and the like.

A practical advantage of our method is that it can be applied to and used in connection with existing equipment, such as tank cars, without any substantial modification of the present structures and without the necessity of applying new 15 and expensive equipment to tanks, tank cars and the like.

A further advantage is that ourmethod can be carried out by the employment of removable equipment or units which arekept at the loading 20 as Si in Figure 8. With the application of these fittings we may employ exceedingly efilcient closing plugs 23 and 6B and the outer closure caps 28.

Thus only inexpensive units are applied to or moved with or are installed on the tank cars or tanks and the equipment necessary to carry out our method may be maintained at fixed loading and unloading points and under the complete control of skilled operators. Such equipment will normally be given careful service since the men using it are responsible for it and have it'under their continuous control. This is in contrast to mechanisms attached to tanks, cars or the like which are subjected to abuse at various points and which get particularly careless treatment in view of the fact that such equipment is frequently leased and is not owned even by the employer of the operators using it. It will be clear that a large number of cars can be handled by employing a small number of loading and venting assemblies or units.-

Stated broadly, our method involves loading tanks and if necessary thereafter unloading them while maintaining the contents closed to the atmosphere. In handling volatile liquids, and particularly inflammable liquids, the result is not merely an enormous saving but a great increase in safety. A further advantage is in the saving of time. As an example of the problem faced, during the loading and transit of gasoline, a considerable portion of the gasoline is driven into vapor so that when the tank car arrives at its destination, pressure has been built up in the tank. Prevailingly in such cases the cap i3 is removed from the vent 9, referring to the parts as shown in Figure 1, and the vapors are allowed to blow off to the atmosphere. would be dangerous for the operator to remove the dome cover. Some domes are even provided with a safety cover which prevents their removal until the pressure has been vented off.

This venting off of the gases requires several hours. It further results in a considerable loss Otherwise, it

of gasoline which costs the shi; )61 not only the w price of the gasoline but the mom paid on the ploy both assemblies. The operator, therefore, before beginning to deliver the liquid through the hose Iii, will withdraw the vent plug 86 above gasoline which is thus wasted. By wasting the vapor into the atmosphere, a hazard is created. A spark from a passing locomotive may ignite vapor and many lives have been lost irom this cause. In hot weather, cases have been known where as much as 3,000 gallons of gasoline have been wasted from a 10,000 gallon load. It is seldom that less than 300 gallons per load is lost even in cold weather. This involves not only a money loss to the producer but a waste of a limited natural resource. The problem of preventing this cost and hazard has long been considered but heretofore has not been solved.

We will consider our method as applied to the complete loading and unloading cycle oi. a tank car, it being understood, however, that our method sequence of steps.

Assume that the operator starts with an empty but closed car. A certain amount. of liquid and gas, especially gas, willremain in the car after a load of gasoline has been removed therefrom. The car, however, if handled in accordance with our method, will not have been allowed to exhaust to the atmosphere and this gaswill remain in the tank with the closure plugs 28 and S8 in place and protected by the outer closure caps 28. The operator first removes the outer closure caps and then applies either the loading assembly aloneor both the loading and vent assemblies. In handling gasoline, both would probably be used and the operator will therefore apply both assemblies. Figure 5 illustrates the loading as sembly in position with the member 23 locked in relation to the fitting 38. Figure 8 illustrates the, vent assembly in position with the member l5 locked in relation to the fitting at.

The operator next unscrews the plugs 23 and 66. The order in which he removes them may make no difi'erence but considering first the loading of it, the operator unscrews the plug 23 and withdraws it into the upward position in which it is shown in Figure 6. The valve 38 meanwhile is kept in closed position. This puts the interior of the member 33 in communication with the interior of the tank 9. The valve Ill is also closed. The operator can thenopen the valve li and can determine what the vapor condition is within the tank. This will enable him to determinewhat the preceding charge in the car was. This is important, for example where it may be undesirable to load gasoline into a car which has last previously been used in the shipment of some entirely difierent liquid. After having determined the vaporization in the car and having found it satisfactory, the operator then opens the valve 38, and can permit the liquid to flow in through the hose ti from any suitable source of supply. The liquid then flows down the eduction pipe ii. It is delivered close to the bottom of the tank, which substantially eliminates boiling or release of volatiles. This is importantfor example in connection with gasoline, which is a complex and unstable mixture.

Where substances are being filled which do not' need to be sampled or gauged, such as propane or butane, the loading assembly only may be used and it may not be necessary to employ the gauging or sampling assembly at all. However, with many substances and for example with gasoline, it is necessary simultaneously to emthe valve I1 and will close the valve 11 in order to prevent escape of gas from the tank. He then vents the space above the valve 17. by employing the vent valve assembly, 85, 86. He can then remove the plug 8! together with the stem and the closure plug 88 and will sglgzstitute the plug I00 with its associated tube After the plug I00 has been screw-threaded into place, the valve 82 being meanwhile closed, the operator can then open the valve 71 and slide the gauge tube downwardly into the tank. He can then open the valve 82 if he desires to draw oi! the gases as they form, or he can rely on the back pressure regulator 82a or may employ any other suitable control for maintaining a constant pressure and for permitting an exhaust or escape when a predetermined pressure is exceeded. He may then start the iiow oi the liquid inwardly along the hose 58. He can from time to time take samples through the tube H38. These samples can be drawn oil through the assembly 3 as shown in Figure 10 and may be supplied directly to bottles, bombs or the like which may be screw-threaded into the threads ill or otherwise attached. The samples may be taken at various levels and at various stages in the course of the filling operation.

The tube mo in addition to functioning as a sample withdrawing device is efiective to gauge the level of the liquid in the tank. When the operator wishes to know when to stop loading, he sets the bottom of the tube 119 3 at the desired upper level of the liquid. As long as the level of the liquid is below the bottom of the tube, only vapor or gas will be exhausted through the outlet ii l. As soon as the liquid level reaches the bottom of the tube ltd, then liquid will be ex hausted through the passage lid and the operator knows that the liquid in the tank has reached its desired level. He then cuts ofi further flow of liquid through the hose 5B.

Thus the tank will have been filled without permitting any exhaustion of gases or vapors to the atmosphere with a consequent prevention of waste and hazard. The operator then vents the housing, and then removes the sampling and gau ing assembly of Figure 9 and returns the member 8! into place, meanwhile closing the valve ll to prevent any escape from the tank. When the member 8i is again tight and the valve 82 is closed, he opens the valve ll and returns the plug as to initial position and screws it tightly in place. The vent 36 may then m employed to exhaust the pressure from the assembly and also to determine whether or not the plug $5 is in tight. Similarly, the plug 23 is returned to its initial position in which it is shown in Figure 5 and the valve Ill may be used to relieve pressure within the assembly and to indicate whether or not plug 23 is tight. There-=- aiter the operator can unscrew the wing nuts 3d and i3 and remove the assemblies and put the covers 28 back in place. The tank car is then firmly locking against escape of gas or vapor and can be stored in yards or taken to its destination for unloading.

When the car reaches the unloading zone, in practice it is necessary to gauge and sample the contents. Therefore, the operator at the other end applies the venting and gauging assemblies shown in Figure s, removes the plug as, closes the till valve 11, removes the member II, and reinstalls the gauge assemblies as shown in Figure 9 or Figure 10. He can then take his samples from various levels and can gauge the amount of liquid in the car. This gaugin is effected by determining the level of the liquid in the car. As soon as the gauge tube I04 reaches the liquid, liquid is passed through the outlet Ill. The operator then knows the precise level of liquid within the car by reading the calibration on the exterior of the tube I04 against the reading point X at the top of the member I02. By any suitable chart or key he can then determine the number of gallons of liquid in the tank. As a matter of convenience, as shown in Figure 2, we may illustrate on the exterior of the dome, so that the operator can read it, the distance, for example in inches, from the fixed reading point down to the top of the tank. This is merely an example as of course any one of a number of gauging systems may be employed whereby in response to the height of the tube the height of the liquid and the volume of liquid can quickly be determined.

Assume that the operator has made his samples and has made his determination of content and wishes to unload, the plug 23 is moved to the position in which it is shown in Figure 6 and the liquid may be drawn oil through the passage 36' event, they are prevented from exhausting tothe atmosphere and there is therefore no wastage and no hazard.

When the unloading job is completed, the operator has only to remove the loading and venting assemblies as above described, after the plugs 23 and 66 have been firmly positioned in place, and the final step is to put the caps or outside closures 28 in position on the car. Whatever vestigial liquid or vapor may remain in the car is thus prevented from escaping and the car is sealed tight until it is again loaded.

In charging tanks with liquids or with gases, and for example in charging propane or butane fixed systems, the unloading steps are omitted. Once the tank has been loaded, the user simply permits the gas to pass off to the point of combustion in a stove, heater or the like and when, by any suitable means, it is determined that the tank calls for recharging, the operator may apply his loading assembly as above described, fill the tank to a predetermined pressure, and then remove his loading assembly, leaving the tank sealed and having kept its interior at all times closed to the atmosphere.

Referring to the assemblies shown in Figures 12 to 14, inclusive, the method described in connection with the other figures may equally well be carried out with such structures. Assume that the operator wishes to load a car or tank and that the loading fitting, as shown in Figure 14,

and screws the'passage member I51 into place.

He sees that the vent valve I65 is closed. He may then connect the hose I63 to the valve housing I6I and to the source of fluid to be supplied to the tank. Then by opening the valve I 58 he puts the interior of the passage I51 into communication with the tank and by opening the valve I02 he puts the-passage into communication with the source of supply.

It the operator is. loading a liquid which is delivered under pressure or which generates pressure or releases gases to build up pressure,- he may at the same time have to employ the venting assembly shown in Figure 13. In such case, he removes the appropriate cover 100, positions the passage member I10 in place, and opens the valve I14 and the valve I53, thereby permitting the escape of gases from the tank to the hose I16. Ii. desired, a pressure release valve 82a may be employed in connection with the hose I16, just as shown in Figure 2, whereby no gas will be permitted to escape unless and until a predetermined pressure is built up and that pressure, if desired, is maintained.

It the operator wishes to sample a liquid as it is being supplied, he can slide the gauge tube I04 down through the valve I53 and take a sample at any depth he wishes. If he wishes to gauge the liquid and determine when to stop delivering liquid through the hose I53, he positions the gauge tube I04 at the desired height and closes the valve I62 as soon as the gauge tube I04 begins to pass the liquid through its outlet II1. Whereas in Figure 13 we have not shown a pump, it will be understood that the pump as shown in Figure 9 may be applied to the structure of Figure 13 when the operator is handling a liquid which is not supplied under pressure.

The unloading method is carried on in much the same way as described in connection with the earlier figures. when the car has been loaded the valve assemblies are removed and the closures I80 are put back in place, the valves I53 meanwhile being closed. At the unloading point, the valve fittings are again substituted for the closure plugs I80 and the operator gauges and samples by employing the gauge tube I04. The liquid can then be drawn ofi either by suction or by pressure.

The operator during both the loading and unloading operation can vent the space between the valves I53 and I52, or between the valves I53 and I14 prior to removing the passage members I51 or I10. This venting will also serve to determine whether or not the valves are tightly in closed position.

In reference to the structures as shown in Figures 2 and 15 and the variant valve assemblies shown in Figures 12 to 14, it will be understood that we may either carry off gases along the line Ia to a suitable point or zone of disposal, storage or the like, remote from the source of liquid being loaded, or we may return the gases to the liquid supply zone. For instance, in handling certain liquids such as propane, it may be desirable to connect the tank I with the propane supply tank through one or more loading lines 5| and a return gas line 5Ia, whereby the gases which are allowed or caused to escape from the tank I are returned to the propane tank from which the liquid initially is delivered along the line 5I. We give propane as an example, but it will be understood that the same method may be employed in handling a variety of gases or liquids.

We claim:

1. The method of loading a tank with a liquid which includes the following steps; applying re- Where a tank car is shipped,

provable valve assemblies to the inlet and vent apertures of a tank while said inlet and vent apertures are closed; thereafter putting the interiors of the valve assemblies in communication with the interior of the tank; thereafter delivering a liquid to the interior of the tank through the inlet aperture and its associated valve assembly, while maintaining the interior of the valve assembly and the tank closed to the atmosphere; permitting the escape of gas through the vent aperture and its associated valve assembly during the loading operation, while maintaining the interiorof the tank and said valve assembly closed to the atmosphere; terminating the liquid delivery when the liquid in the tank reaches the desired, top level; closing the inlet and vent apertures while maintaining the interior of the valve assemblies closed to the atmosphere; and thereafter removing the valve assemblies. 1

2. A method which comprises securing a housing in sealed relation to an opening in a tank, while the closure of said opening isin normal position sealing said opening, eiiecting manipulation 5 through said housing of said closure to open the same, placing the interior of said housing in communication with a source of fluid to be transferred, delivering said fluid through said housing and opening into said tank while maintaining the housing otherwise closed, thereafter effecting manipulation through said housing of said closure and thereby restoring the same to its original position sealing said opening, disconnecting said housing from said source of fluid and thereafter removing said housing from said opening.

3. A method which comprises securing a-housing in sealed relation to an opening in a tank, while the closure of said opening is in normal closed position, efiecting manipulation through said housing oi said closure to open. the same, placing the interior of said housing in communication with a source of fluid to he transferred, delivering said fluid through said housing and opening into said tank while maintaining the housing otherwise closed, thereafter efiecting manipulation through said housing of said closure to close the same, disconnecting said housing from said source of fluid and thereafter venting the interior of said housing and removing said housing from said opening.

a. A method which comprises securing a hous= ing in sealed relation to an opening in a tank, while the closure of said opening is in normal position sealing the latter, efiectlng manipulation through said housing of said closure to open the same, placing the interior of said housing in communication with a source of fluid to be transierred, delivering said fluid through said housing and opening into said tank while maintaining the housing otherwise closed, arranging for the escape of gas from the interior of the tank during the delivery, thereafter efiecting manipulation through said housing of said closure and thereby restoring it to its original position, sealing said opening, disconnecting said housing from said source of fluid and thereafter removing said housing from said opening.

5. A method which comprises securing a pair of housings each in sealed relation to one of a pair of openings in a tank while the closures of source of fluid to be transierred, delivering fluid said openings are in their normal closed position,

greases through said one housing and the mocia'ted opening into said tank while maintaining the interlor oi the housing through which delivery occurs closed to the atmosphere, arranging for the escape of gas through the other of said housings, 5 terminating the delivery 0! fluid to said tank, thereafter eflecting manipulation through said housings oi said closures to close the same, disconnecting said one housing' from said source or fluid and thereafter removing said housings irom their, respective openings.

6. A method which comprises securing a pair of housings each in sealed relation to one of a pair of openings in a tank while the closures of said openings are in their normal closed position, is eflecting manipulation through said housings of said closures to open the same, placing the interior of one of said housings in communication with a source of fluid to be transferred, delivering fluid through said one housing and its associated opening into said tank while maintaining the interior of the housing through which delivery occurs closed to the atmosphere, arranging for the escape of gas through the other of said housings, terminating the delivery oi fluidto 2% said tank, thereafter eflectlng manipulation through said housings oi said closures to close the same, disconnecting said one housingirom said source of fluid and thereafter venting said assemblies and removing said housings from their respective openings.

.7. A method which comprises securing a pair oi houslngsea'ch in sealed relation to one of a pair of openings in a tank while the closures oi efiecting manipulation through said housings of said closures to open the same, placing the interior of one of said housings in communication with a source of fluid to he transferred, deliver ing fluid through said one housing and its associated opening into said tank while maintaining the interior of the housing through which delivery occurs closed to the atmosphere, arranging for the escape of gas through the other of said housings when the gas within the tank is at a predetermined pressure, terminating the delivery of fluid to said tank, thereafter eflecting manlpula= time through said housings of said closures to close the same, disconnecting said one-housing from said source of fluid and thereafter removing said housings from their respective openings.

8. A method which comprises securing a housing in sealed relation to a plurality of openings in a tank while the closures of said openings are in their normal position sealing said opening, efiecting manipulation through said housings of said closures to open the same, placing the interior of said housings in communication with a source of fluid to be transferred, delivering fluid through one of said housings in its opening into gg said tank while maintaining the interior of the housing through which delivery occurs closed to the atmosphere, arranging for the escape oi gas through the other of said housings, terminating the delivery otfluid to said tank, thereas after efiecting manipulation through said housings of said closures and thereby restoring the same to their original position, each sealing its respective opening, disconnecting said housings from said source of fluid and thereafter removing 70 said housings from their respective openings.

9. A method of unloading fluid from a tank which comprises securing'a housing in sealed relation to an opening in said tank, while the closure of said opening is in normal position sealing said opening, eflecting manipulation through said housing of said closure to open the same, placing the interior of said housing in communication with a suitable fluid receptacle, delivering said fluid through said housing and opening from said tank and into said receptacle while maintaining the housing otherwise closed, thereafter effecting manipulation through said housing of said closure and thereby restoring the same to its original position sealing said opening, disconnecting said housing from said fluid receptacie and thereafter removing said housing from said opening.

'VIRGIL I. HOOPER. LOUIS G. HOOPER. 

